You Got a ‘Free’ Internet Speed Upgrade. Then Your Bill Went Up.

In the age of high-speed internet, encountering a spinning wheel when you try to stream a video can be maddening. But before you call your provider, know that you’re probably already paying for faster speeds than you use. Illustration: Timothy Wong

Melissa Shank and her fiancé moved into their apartment in late 2016 and bought a $90-a-month cable and internet package.

Two years later, the couple noticed their bill had spiked to $121. When they complained to their provider, Comcast Corp., they were told their speed had been boosted from 75 megabits per second to 150 Mbps, without their requesting it.